X-ray apparatus



Nov. 7,- 1939.

R. J. STAVA X-RAY APPARATUS Filed June 1, 1938 V mm m WJ mm E w Y B j 2ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 7, 1939 UNITED STATES 2,179,357 X-RAY APPARATUSRobert J. Stava, East Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to Picker X-RayCorporation Waite Manufacturing' Division, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, acorporation of Ohio Application June 1, 1938, Serial No. 211,128

6 Claims. (01. za -"19) This invention relates to X-ray apparatus andmore particularly to the mounting or support for the fluoroscopic screenemployed when the apparatus is used in fluoroscopy.

The invention aims to provide counterbalancing means for the screenunit, characterized by the employment of very simple means forconnecting a counterbalancing spring to or disconnecting it from themovable screenmernber, according to whether said member is used forhorizontal fluoroscopy, when a counterbalancing effect is desirable, orfor vertical fluoroscopy, when such effect is not desirable. 1

A further object is to provide an improved releasable connection for thecounterbalancing spring which is very easily disconnected by a manualoperation and which utilizes the counterbalancing spring itself toreestablish the con nection when the parts are moved to the properposition. p

Further objects of the invention are in part obvious and in part willappear more in detail hereinafter.

The invention is an improvement upon that shown, described and claimedin Letters Patent 2,097,095, grantedOctober 2S, 1937 to Edwin H.

Goldfleld et al.for X-ray apparatus.

In the drawing, which represents one suitable embodiment of theinvention, Fig. 1 is an elevation of the fluoroscopic screen unit andits mounting, in their position when used for horizontal fluoroscopy;

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation on approximately the line 2-2, Figs. 1and 3;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation on approximately the line 3-3, Fig. 2,showing in full lines the arm 0 and counterbalancing spring engaged inoperative condition; and

4 is a similar view, illustrating the disengaging operation. i l

The fluoroscopic screen unit forming the subject matter of the presentinvention includes a fluoroscopic screen which is moved by the op-.erator to various positions over the patient in the usual manner. Themovable parts may weigh as much as ten or fifteen pounds. Consequently,when the tilting table is horizontal so that the screen is above him itis desirable to counterweight the movable screen parts and relieve theoperator of the burden of their weight, but, when the tilting table andthe patient are in vertical position with the screen in front of thepatient, the counterbalancing effect should be dispensed with because itwould then impose upon the operator a burden equal to thecounterbalancing effect.

The present invention provides a counterbalanced screen unit providedwith improved releasable means by which the counterbalancing effect maybe produced or dispensed with in accordance with Whether the apparatusis used in horizontal or in vertical fluoroscopy.

The fluoroscopic screen unit comprises a hollow head or casing l, adepending hollow cylindrical portion 2 of which, when the screen isbeing used for horizontal fluoroscopy, as in 1, is mounted for rotationabout a vertical axis in a recess or opening in a suitable support 3,being removably held therein in any suitable manner, such as by screw l.The support 3 may may be carried by the tilting table (not shown) or.may be mounted on a stand or other part separate from the table and atone side thereof, as Will be readily understood. Said support 3 iscapable of adjustment about a horizontal axis, as in said prior patentor application referred to, to bring the axis of said cylindricalportion 2 into either vertical or horizontal, position, according towhether the screen is used for horizontal or vertical fluoroscopy, aswill be readily understood.

Within the hollow head i is pivotally mounted at 5 a base 6 in Whichisjournalled an arm 1 carrying the usual fluoroscopic screen 8. Pivotedbase ii is provided beyond its pivot with a hook-like extension 1!extending through an opening in and beneath the cross bar it of a coupling member ll having lateral projections It extending through andmoving along inclined slots is in the side walls of the casing i, saidmember beneath the lateral projections having a cross bar i l forming aperch for a loop at one end of a tension spring 55, whose other end islooped through the eye of an adjusting screw it threaded into the lowerend ofthe depending cylindrical base 2. Member H is also provided withan upwardly extending finger lever ll passing through an open slot inthe wall of casing The rotatable mounting of the base 2 in support 3permits the fluoroscopic screen to be swung at will either into positionopposite the top of the tilting table, for use in fluoroscopic work, orto a position at one side of the table, when the tube alone is to beused for radiagrophic work, while the journalling of arm l in the base 6permits the screen to be tilted to various positions and even into avertical plane, as will be obvious.

Figs. 1 and 3 in full lines illustrate the position of the parts whenthe screen is opposite the table top and the patient thereon, ready foruse in fluoroscopy. Cross bar ID of coupling member II is seated in thehooked portion 9 of the 5 screen supporting arm. Counterbalancing springI5 is extended and has energy stored therein sufiicient to fullycounterbalance the Weight of the extended arm and the screen 8 supportedthereby. Consequently, the table being in hori- 1o Zontal position, theoperator can swing the screen about pivot 5 toward and from the table toadapt it to the patient without undue burden or effort.

When the screen is used for vertical fluoroscopy,

member 3 is turned so that the axis of the depending casing portion 2 ishorizontal. The weight of the movable parts, including arm members 6 andI and screen 8, constituting the screen unit, requires nocounterbalancing effect. When the parts are moved to said position, withthe axis of cylindrical portion 2 horizontal, the energized spring I 5contracts and automatically turns the screen carrying arm to theposition shown in full lines, Fig. 4. Pins I 2 travel down to the lowerends of the slots I3. When the full line position, Fig. 4, is reachedthe operator can grasp the finger lever I! and shift it from the fullline to the dotted line position, Fig. 4, thus disengaging cross bar II]from its seat in the notch of the hooked extension 9. This operationfully disconnects the counterbalancing spring from the screen carryingarm, and the latter may then be returned to the position shown in Fig. 1and may be manipulated with respect to the patient without any burden bythe attendant in overcoming the tension of a counterbalancing spring inso doing. During such manipulation the bar It) is held by the tension ofthe counterbalancing spring I 5 against the outer surface of the hook 9,spring I5 having a tendency to move said bar into a position in linewith the length of the spring. Consequently, whenever it is desired toreestablish connection of the counterbalancing spring to the screencarrying arm, said arm is moved outwardly to the position shown in fulllines, Fig. 4, when, automatically, spring I5 will snap the bar I0 intoits position seated within the hook 9, restoring the connection andagain making the spring efiective on the arm for full counterbalancingeffect when the member 3 is turned back to position for use of thescreen in horizontal fluoroscopy.

This is a very simple construction for the purpose of enabling thespring to be readily disconnected and to be made inefiective, and toalso automatically reestablish connection in the ordinary course ofmanipulation of the parts. The counterbalancing spring not only servesfor its usual counterbalancing purpose, but also to maintain the partsconnected and to tend to return them to connected position when theyhave been disconnected, in the manner described. But a single spring isused and no special latch or other device is required.

What I claim is:

1. X-ray apparatus, comprising a head, an arm pivoted thereto andcarrying a fluoroscopic screen,

a counterbalancing spring secured at one end to said head, a couplingmember connected to the other end of said spring, said arm having anopen seat to receive said coupling member, and an operating leverconnected to said coupling member by means of which it may bedisconnected from said arm at the will of the operator.

2. X-ray apparatus, comprising a hollow head provided with guides, anarm pivoted to said head and carrying a fluoroscopic screen, acounterbalancing spring secured at one end to said head, a tiltingcoupling member connected to the other end of said spring, trunnions onsaid member slidable in the said guides, and said arm having an openseat to receive said coupling member.

3. X-ray apparatus, comprising a hollow head provided with guides, anarm pivoted to said head and carrying a fluoroscopic screen, acounterbalancing spring secured at one end to said head, a tiltingcoupling member connected to the other end of said spring, and trunnionson said member slidable in the said guides, said arm having an openingseat to receive said coupling member, and said coupling member having anoperating lever by means of which it may be tilted about said trunnionsto uncouple it from said arm.

4. X-ray apparatus, comprising a hollow head provided with guides, anarm pivoted therein and carrying a fluoroscopic screen, acounterbalancing spring secured at one end to said head, a tiltingcoupling member provided with opposed portions, one thereof beingconnected to the other end of said spring, and trunnions on said memberbetween the said portions thereof and slidable in said guides, said armhaving an open seat to receive the other portion of said couplingmember, whereby the efiect of said spring on one portion of saidcoupling member always exerts a tendency to reestablish coupled relationbetween the other portion of said coupling member-and said arm when theyare uncoupled.

5. X-ray apparatus, comprising a hollow head,

an arm pivoted therein and carrying a fluoroscopic screen, acounterbalancing spring secured at one end to said head, a releasableconnection between the other end of said spring and. said arm, saidconnection being enclosed within said head, and an operating device foractuating said connection to release or connect the same, said operatingdevice extending from said connection to the outside of said head whereit is accessible for operation by the operator.

6. X-ray apparatus, comprising a hollow head,

an arm pivoted therein and carrying a fluoroscopic screen, acounterbalancing spring secured at one end to said head, a couplingmember enclosed within said head andconnected to the other end of saidspring, said arm having an open seat to receive said coupling member,and an operating device connected to said coupling member for operatingthe same, said device extending from said coupling member to the outsideof said head where it is accessible for'operation by the operator.

ROBERT J. STAVA.

